The Sun remembers: Aug. 12-18

Mike Klingaman, The Baltimore Sun

Aug. 14, 1998:Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles hits two home runs with the bases loaded in a 15-3 romp over the Indians in Cleveland. "My biggest asset is when I have a stick in my hands," says Hoiles, only the ninth player [and first catcher] to slug two grand slams in one game.

Aug. 13, 1988: After learning of the death of team owner Edward Bennett Williams, 68, from cancer, the Orioles blank the host Milwaukee Brewers, 5-0. Jeff Ballard pitches a three-hitter and left fielder Joe Orsulak makes two nifty defensive plays as the Birds (38-77) end a five-game losing streak.

Aug. 15, 1975:Earl Weaver is ejected from both games of a doubleheader against visiting Texas by umpire Ron Luciano. The Orioles manager is booted in the fourth inning of the first game for arguing a call and again, still seething, while exchanging lineup cards for the nightcap. "He [Luciano] told me he hates me," Weaver says. "He'll wind up driving a garbage truck if he keeps that up."

Aug. 14, 1967: In the first pro game ever played at Harvard Stadium — the nation's oldest — the Colts smother the Boston Patriots, 33-3, in an exhibition. The highlight: a 72-yard touchdown catch by rookie Bob Baldwin, who attended City College.

Aug. 14, 1959: A crowd of 70,000, including Vice President Richard Nixon, sees the world champion Colts defeat the College All-Stars, 29-0, at Soldier Field in Chicago. "We didn't come out here to kill anybody," Baltimore coach Weeb Ewbank says.Johnny Unitas throws for three touchdowns and the Colts intercept five passes.

Aug. 14, 1944: Trailing 8-1 in the seventh inning, the Orioles storm back to defeat the Montreal Royals, 9-8, and maintain a 11/2-game lead in the International League. Hal Kleine pitches five scoreless innings and clears the bases with a three-run triple in the ninth for the Birds (70-51).

Aug. 15, 1895: In a near four-hour contest, the Orioles defeat the Boston Beaneaters, 11-10, to pull within 11/2 games in the National League race. As he steps to the plate in the 15th inning, with a runner on second, Hughie Jennings declares, "It is all over but the shouting." The Orioles shortstop then rips the winning single to left as the crowd goes nuts.